Cotton-boll extractor and cotton-cleaning machine



H. E. WALKER.

COTTON BOLL EXTRACIOR AND COTTON CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1920.

1 54,358, Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEE1 l.

HE.Wa. 7er

H. E. WALKER. COTTON BOLL EXTRACTOR AND COTTON CLEANING MACHINE. 1,354,358.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1920- Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEE] Z.

H. E. WALKER.

COTTON BOLL EXTRACTOR AND COTTON CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, I920- Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

8mm H E 14/), Z/Zer UNITED STATES FATENT ()FFICE.

HORACE E. WALKER, 01 NORTEAN, OKLAEEOMA.

COTTON-BOLD EXTRACTOR EiND Application filed March 10 To all to 7mm it may concern.

it known that 1, Homer E. XVALKER, a Izen of the United States, residing at Normin, in the county of Cleveland and State Oklahommhave invented certain new and eful Improvements in Cotton-Boll EX- tractors and Cotton-Cleaning Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in cotton boll extractor and cotton cleaning machines, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine adapted to deliver cotton to the gin free and. clear of all hulls, dirt and trash whereby the capacity of the gin is materially increased together with a decided raise in the grade of the cotton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including an air chamber into which boll breaker delivers and wherein means are provided within said chamber to effectively pick the cotton from the trash and hulls and wherein the dirt and kindred minute particles are carried out with the air.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including means whereby the cotton, after leaving the air chamber, is subjected to a further action whereby cotton or lint is separated for delivery to the gin while the trash, bolls, and dirt are carried off.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including an air chamber or conduit into which a boll breaker delivers and wherein a portion of the floor of said chamber or conduit constitutes the upper stretch of an endless member traveling in a direction toward the in gress end of the chamber'or conduit and which member is provided with means to engage and recover the cotton, together with means arranged within the air chamber or conduit to facilitate the proper coaction of the endless member with the cotton.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including a housing into which the material recovered from within the air chamber or conduit is deliv- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

1920. Se1'ia1 310. 364,610.

ered and wherein means are arranged within said housing to effectively separate the cotton or lint from the matter foreign thereto such as bolls, trash and dirt.

it is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine of this general =i-haracter wherein the separatmg niea ns arranged within the housing into which the material is delivered from the air conduit or chamber comprises a rotary member having its periphery provided with means to recover the cotton and lint and wherein members or heaters are provided to force the material toward the rotary member to assure the desired functioning of said member.

The invention consists in the'details of construction and the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved machine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood. I will now proceed to describe the s ame with reference to the'accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a cotton boll extract-or and cotton cleaning machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Fig. 1, a second position of one of the deflcctors being indicated by dotted lines and a conveyer being also indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through the air chamber and illustrating in detail the mounting of one of the deflectors.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a housing of requisite dimensions and has one end portion of its top open, as at 1, and through which discharges the endless member M arranged within the substantially horizontally disposed air chamber or conduit A. The endless member M is imperforate and Of a width sub a plurality of transversely stantially equal with the space between the side walls 2 of said air chamber or conduit A. The member M is disposed around the drums 3 rotatably supported by the side walls 2 of the chamber of conduit A and interposed therebetween and the outer drum 3 is adjustable longitudinally of the conduit or chamber A as may be necessitated by the requirements of practice. An end portion of the shaft 4: of the inner drum 3 extends exteriorly of the chamberor conduit A. and said extended portion has aiiixed thereto a pulley 5 whereby the member M may be operated with the upper cling in a direction toward the opening 1 and the ingress end of the conduit or chain berA. Projecting outwardly from the member M, which preferably constitutes a belt, is I disposed series ofteeth or sprigs 6. Adjacent series of the teeth or sprigs 6 are in relatively close proximity to each other and saidteeth are disposed on an incline in a direction longitudinally of the'member M and in the direc tion of travel thereof.

Arranged within the induction end of the chamber or concuit A is a substantially horizontally disposed table or apron T of a length to slightly overlie the acent .or'

inner end portion of the upper stretch of the member M. The table or apron 7, together with the upper stretch of the member M, constitutes the floor of the chamber or conduit A with the upper stretch of the member M operating as a movable portion 7 of said floor.

The cotton and associated matter delivered from a conventional type of boll breaker is blown by a suitable air draft through the air chamber or conduit A above the-floor thereof and during which time, the member M is in operation. The upper stretch of the member M moves toward the induction end of the chamber or conduit A and during such movement, the sprigs or teeth 6 effectually pick or separate the cotton from the trash and hulls.

the rock arms 8,'togethcr with thedepending fingers 9 carried thereby operates as a deflector to'forc'e the cotton and'the matter associated therewith into contact with the up-'- per stretch of the member M so that the functioning of said member M through the instrumentality of the teeth or sprigs 6 stretch thereof trav-' r V ihe (art or 7 other comminuted matter entering into the is materially facilitated. The action of these teeth or sprigs 6 is also made more effective by the direction in which the same are inclined. Coacting with each of the rock arms 8 are suitable means, as at 10, whereby the same may be held in different angular adjustments with respect to the upper stretch of the member M and as may be pre ferred in practice.

Outwardly of the inner drum 3 and supported by the side walls of the conduit or chamber A is a rotary brush 11 rotating from. above in a direction toward the member M and which brush, during the operation of the machine, extracts or removes from the teeth or sprigs 6 the cotton carried thereby whereby said cotton is discharged into the housing H through the opening 1. One end portion of the shaft 12 of the rotary brush 11 extends exteriorly of the conduit or chamber A and at the same side asthe extended portion of the shaft 4:. Fixed to said extended portion of the shaft 12 is a pulley 1%, herein disclosed in driving connection with the pulley 5 through the instrumentality of a cross belt 15. The extended portion of the shaft 12 has also aflixed thereto a second pulley 16 adapted to be op'eratively engaged, preferably through the medium of a. belt, with a suitable source of power.

The rotary brush 11 is positioned belowthe table or apron 7 and is contained within a casing '17 prov ded in its lower portion with a suitable opening to afford communication with the opening 1 and in its forward portion with a suitable opening 18 through which the cotton and the like passes when taken from the member M by the rotary brush 11. The upper and lower marginal portions of the casing 17 defining the opening 18 are continued. by the extensions 19.v The upper extension 19 is continued to the under surface of the table or apron 7 and conforms to the adjacent portion of the member M passing around the drum 3 while the lower extension 19 also conforms to the adjacent curvature of the member M and leads to the closed bottom 20 of the chamher or conduit A. l

lnterposed between the'upper portions of the side members 21 of the housing H and at the inner edge of the opening 1 is a plate or wall 22 whereby a receiving hopper R is provided in the upper" portion of the housing H and into which the cotton is deliverec from the member MI Disposed transversely of thehousing H through the upper portion of the hopper R and rotatably supported by the sidewalls 21 of the housing Hare the shafts 23to: each of which is fixed within the hopper 'a fluted feed roller 2%v adapted to rotate from above in a direction one to the other and which rollers operate to force,

the. material delivered Within the hopper B downwardly thereof.

The lower portion of the hopper R is partially closed by a rotary beater 25 carried by a shaft 26 supported by the side walls 21 of the housing H and which beater rotates inwardly from above. Positioned directly bel w the beater 25 and in close proximity thereto is a second rotary beater 27 carried by a shaft 28 supported by the side walls 21 of the housing H. Below the beater 27 and positioned slightly inward thereof is a tiird rotary beater 29 carried by a shaft 30 also rotatably supported by the side walls of the housing H. The end wall 31 of the housing H adjacent the heaters 25, 27 and 29 is provided with the concaves 32 into which each of said heaters partially extend. 33 denotes a drum of relatively large radius interposed between the side walls 21 of the housing I and fixed to shaft 34 supported by said side wall. A drum is positioned inwardly of and entirely to one side of the hopper It and also arranged therebelow. Said drum 33 when in operation, rotate from below in a direction away from the heaters 25, 27 and 29 while said beaters all rotate in the same direction and in a direc tion from above toward the drum Extending outwardly from the periphery of the drum 33 are the teeth or sprigs 35, said teeth being disposed on an incline in the direction of rotation of said drum 33. As the cotton and associated matter is forced downwardly through the hopper R, the upper rotary beater 25 forces such material toward the drum 33 and in a downward direction.- This action is also repeated by the heaters 27 and 29. As the drum 33 rotates the teeth or sprigs 35 carried thereby serve to recover or separate the cotton and lint from the hulls, trash and the like and which separated hulls and kindred foreign matter is discharged upon the chute 36 and delivered thereby to a suitable conveyer for carrying off said matter.

Rotatably supported by the side walls 21 of the housing H at a point above the shaft 34 and to the side of the drum 33 remote from the beaters 25, 27 and 29' is a rotary brush 37 which rotates from above in a direction toward the drum 33 and oper ates to disengage from the teeth or sprigs 35 the cotton or lint carried thereby. As the cotton or lint is freed from said teeth or sprigs 35, the same is thrown by the rotary brush 37 upon the chute 38 and which cotton or lint is then delivered to a gin.

The brush 37 is fixed to a shaft 39 having an end portion extending exteriorly of the housing H and to said extended portion is secured a pulley 40. Directed around the pulley 40 is a belt B which also extends under and engages a pulley 41 fixed to the extended portion of a shaft 42, rotatably supported by the side walls 21 of the housing H. The shaft 42 is positioned above the drum 33 at a point in close proximity to the plate or wall 22 and above the lower or free margin thereof. Fixed to the shaft 42 between the side walls 21 is a fluted or ribbed roller 43, rotating from above in a direction toward the drum and which serves to prevent hulls, trash or i pass upwardly and over the drum The belt B passes from the pulley 41 to and over a pulley 44 carried by the extended portion of the adjacent shaft 3 and from said pulley 4, said belt passes under a pulley 45 carried by the extended portion of the second shaft 23. From the pulley 45 the belt B extends to a suitable source of power.

The belt 13 from the pulley 40 and to a pulley 46 secured to the extended portion of the shaft 34 passes over and around said pulley. From the pulley 46, the belt B passes under an idle pulley 47 rotatably sup- POIJGCl by the adjacent side walls 21 of the housing H and from the pulley 47 over a pulley 49 fixed to the extended portion of the shaft 3 From the pulley 49, the belt B extends under and around an idle pulley 50 rotatably supported by the adjacent side wall 21 of the housing H and then inwardly of and in driving contact with the pulleys 51 and 52 carried by the extended porti us of the shafts 28 and 26 respectively. The belt B also passes over the pulley 52 at which point it leads to the source of power. By this particular arrangement of the belt B, the various rotary elements'are caused to revolve in the desired directions.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a machine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A machine of the class described including an air conduit, an endless member having a stretch constituting a portion of the floor of said conduit, said stretch of the endless member traveling in a direction toward the induction end of the conduit, outstanding teeth carried by said endless memher, and deflecting members arranged within the air conduit above the endless member for forcing the material passing through the air conduit toward the endless member, said deflecting members being angularly adjustable with respect to the endless member.

2. A machine of the class described inthe lire to eluding an air conduit, an endless member having 'a stretch constituting a portion of the floor of said conduit, said stretch of the endless member traveling in a direction toward the induction end of the conduit, outstanding teeth carried by said endless member, rotary beaters arranged at one side of the rotary member for forcing the material to be" treated toward the rotary member,

means for freeing from the teeth of the rotary member the material carried thereby,

, and a fluted rotary member positioned above the first named rotary member and rotating in the same direction as the first named rotary member.

4a A machine of the class described com-' prising a rotary member, teeth extending outwardly from the periphery of said member, rotary beaters arranged at one side of the rotary member for forcing the material to be treated toward the rotary member, means for freeing from the teeth of the rotary member the material carried thereby,

and a fluted rotary member positioned above the first named rotary member and rotating in the same direction as the first named rotary member, said rotary beaters also rotating in the same direction as the first named rotary member.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a rotary member, teeth extending outwardly from the periphery of said member, rotary beaters arranged at one side of the rotary member for forcing the material to be treated toward the rotary member, means for freeing from the teeth .of the rotary member the material carried thereby, and feeding rolls positioned above the ro tary beaters for forcing the material in a direction toward said beaters and the rotary member.

6. A machine of the class describedcom prising a rotary member, teeth extending outwardly from the periphery of said member, beaters arranged at one side of the rotary member for forcing the material to be treated toward the rotary member, means for freeing from the teeth of the rotary member the material carried thereby, and a fluted rotary member positioned above the first named rotary member and rotating in the same direction as the first named rotary member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

HORACE E. WALKER. 

